Stored-energy operating mechanism for switch blades

ABSTRACT

A spring-charging handle of the mechanism is turned in one direction to charge a closing spring for the switch blades and in an opposite direction to charge an opening spring. Either spring may be charged first, but both springs must be charged before the closing spring can be discharged to close the switch blades. An interlock is provided between a door for enclosing the switch mechanism and a latch releasing means.

Apr. 1, 1975 United States Patent 1191 Rys 200/l46 6/l97l 200/l53FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS m e d r O N 0 7 9 H 2 95 9 (D2 900 33STORED-ENERGY OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SWITCH BLADES [75] Inventor:Tadeusz J. Rys, Monroe, Ohio l,948,209 ll/l970 Germany200/l53 [73]Assignee:

Square D. Co., Park Ridge. Ill. Feb. '25, 1974 211 App]. No.: 445,735

Primary Examiner-T. E. Lynch [22] Filed:

Assistant Examiner-John W. Redman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harold J.Rathbun; Ernest S. Kettelson Related U.S. Application Data [63]Continuation of Ser. No. 329,804. Feb. 5. I973.

abandoned.

[57] ABSTRACT A spring-charging handle of the mechanism is turned A%O M0 w e m fl 01 CH 1 S2-C new A 0 m m H2 mo m "3" n mhm mm H r. 8 S em lWM k UI F H N 555 III [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Aninterlock is provided between a door for enclosing the switch mechanismand a latch releasing means.

1938.408 12/1933 200/92 2.910.557 10/1959 200/74 9 Claims, 20 Drawinggures PMEMEBAPR' 1191s 1'. 875, 360

FIG.

STORED-ENERGY OPERATING MECHANISM FOR SWITCH BLADES This application isa continuation of prior application Ser. No. 329,804. filed Feb. 5, I973now abandoned.

Prior stored energy operating mechanisms for switch blades permittedclosing of the switch blades without charging of the opening spring.Warning signals were activated when this dangerous condition occurred.but there was always the possibility that the warning would be ignoredor misunderstood.

An object ofthis invention is to provide an improved stored energyoperating mechanism for switch blades. the mechanism having meanspreventing closing ofthe switch blades unless both the opening andclosing springs have been charged.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent when the followingspecification is considered along with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a relatively large switchhaving a stored-energy operating mechanism constructed in accordancewith my invention. an enclosure for the switch being omitted;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a switch similar to that ofFIG. I, but relatively smaller, and showing mainly the stored-energyoperating mechanism thereof. which is also constructed in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top view of the operating mechanism of FIG. 2,with certain parts omitted and other parts shown in section;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally alongthe line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the operating mechanism ofFIG. 2 taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but including a portion of a closeddoor of an enclosure for the switch and showing an interlock member ofFIG. 5 in a different position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the operating mechanism ofFIG. 2 taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 3, with certain partsomitted, and showing opening and closing springs of the operating mechanism in discharged condition;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the opening and closingsprings of the operating mechanism in charged condition;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the operating mechanism ofFIG. 2 taken generally along the line 9-9 of FIG. 4, with certain partsshown in phantom and other parts broken away, and showing the chargingof the opening spring;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of the operating mechanism ofFIG. 2 taken generally along the line 10-10 of FIG. 4, and showing thecharging of the closing spring;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are simplified views similar to FIG. 9 and illustratingthe change of position of a latch pin for an actuating plate of theclosing spring as the condition of the opening spring is changed from adischarged condition of FIG. 11 to a charged condition of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view ofa release member for the latch pin forthe actuating plate of the closing spring;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a latch pin for one of the actuatingplates of the opening and closing springs;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of certain parts shown in FIG.4;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of certain parts shown in FIG. 15, theparts being assembled and shown in their position assumed upon chargingof the closing spring of the operating mechanism;

FIG. 17 is a side view of certain parts shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a top view of a cam member shown in FIGS. 15 and 17;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary view of the operating mechanism of FIG. 2 takenin the direction of arrows 19-19 of FIG. 3 and depicting an opencondition of the switch; and

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19, but depicting a closed conditionof the switch.

With reference to the drawings. a switch 22 having an operatingmechanism 23 constructed in accordance with the invention is shown inFIG. 1. The switch 22 is of a relatively high capacity and includes apair of connected stationary contact blades 24 in each of three poles.In the closed condition of the switch 22, each blade 24 is clamped by apair of movable contact blades 26. Each pair of blades 26 is pivotallymounted on a mounting blade 28 and clamps the respective blade 28 in theclosed condition of the switch 22. The clamping means by which each pairofblades 26 at one end clamps a contact blade 24 and at the other endclamps a mounting blade 28 includes a pair of nuts 30 non-rotatablymounted on each blade 26 on one side thereof respectively adjacentopposite longitudinal ends thereof. The nuts 30 on one blade 26 of apair face oppositely and are oppositely threaded from those on the otherblade 26 of the pair. A pair of studs 32, one of which is mounted in therespective mounting blade 28, is provided for each pair of blades 26.Each stud 32 is provided with oppositely threaded portions for matingwith the pair of oppositely threaded nuts 30 mounted thereon.

In a manner not shown. the 12 blades 26 are operatively connected to acrossbar 34 movable to pivot the blades 26 to open and closed positionswith respect to the stationary contact blades 24. The blades 26 pivotabout the studs 32 mounted in the mounting blades 28, and the stud 32mounted adjacent the free end of each pair of blades 26 is received in aslot 24a of the respective blade 24 when the blades 26 are moved toclosed position. The blades 26 and the crossbar 34 pivot as a unitduring their movement from fully open to fully closed position. but whenthe blades 26 are substantially in fully closed position, the cross bar34 is caused. by mechanism not shown, to pivot about its operativeconnections (not shown) to the blades 26. This relative pivotal eachpole movement operates three links 36, one for the four blades 26 of.and is more fully disclosed in copending application, Ser. No 336,147.filed Feb. 26, I973. The links 36 are pivotally connected adjacent oneend respectively to pairs of members forming part of the operativeconnections of the crossbar 34 to the blades 26, and pivotally connectedadjacent the other end respectively to pairs of crank members 38 each ofwhich is non-rotatably secured relatively to one of the studs 32extending through the free end portions of a pair of blades 26. Thestuds 32 mounted in the mounting blades 28 are also provided with crankmembers similar to the crank members 38 and operatively connected to thecrossbar 34 by links similar to the links 36. When the crossbar 34pivots relatively to the blades 26 substantially at the end of theirclosing movement, the links such as links 36 operate the crank members38 to turn the studs 32 relative to the fixed nuts 30 and clamp thepairs of blades 26 to the respective stationary contact blades 24 andthe respective mounting blades 28 to provide good electricalconnections. Upon opening movement of the blades 26, the crossbar 34first pivots with respect to the blades 26. turning the studs 32 in anunclamping direction, and thereafter the crossbar 34 and blades 26 pivotas a unit to the open position.

The crossbar 34 is driven by a link having spherical bearing typeconnections at opposite ends respectively to the crossbar 34 and to acrank member not shown in FIG. I but similar to a crank member 42 (FIGS.2, 3, 4, 9, l5, l6, l9 and 20) of an operating mechanism 23a (FIG. 2) ofa relatively smaller switch. The operating mechanism 23 of the switch 22of FIG. I is substantially the same as the operating mechanism 23adisclosed in FIGS. 2-20 and hereinafter described. The mechanism 23aincludes a driving link 4041 similar to the link 40.

A frame of the mechanism 23a includes a pair of lefthand and right-handside plate members 43 and 44 and a pair of front and rear cross platemembers 45 and 46. The side plate members 43 and 44 are providedrespectively with rear flanges 43a and 44a by which they are suitablysecured to a supporting plate 48 formed of in sulating material. Thecross plate members 45 and 46 are provided at opposite ends respectivelywith flanges 45a. 45b and flanges 46a. 46b by which they are suitablysecured to the side plate members 43 and 44.

A flanged bushing 50 is received in a suitable aperture in the crossplate member 45 and has a flange 50a suitably secured to the rearsurface of the cross plate member. As best shown in FIG. 4, a shaft 51includes a front cylindrical portion 51a rotatably mounted in thebushing 50 and a rear cylindrical portion 51b of relatively smallerdiameter rotatably mounted in a pair of spaced needle bearings 52 and53. A spring charging handle 54 is mounted on an extreme front portion51c of the shaft 51. The portion 51c has a generally square crosssection. The handle 54 includes an outer portion 540 in the form of arectangular tube and an inner core portion 54b extending the lengthofthe tube 54a on the inside thereof and projecting outwardly therefromat the end shown in FIG. 4. Preferably the core portion 54b is oflaminated construction, being formed of a stack of stamped plates eachhaving a square aperture in the projecting end portion for mounting onthe square portion 514'. Two generally circular but flattopped fillerplates 55 and 56 are provided, one on each side of the projectingportion of the core 54b. The plate 56 has a square aperture forreceiving the square portion 510. and the plate 55 has a relativelysmaller circular aperture for receiving a screw 57 threaded into thesquare portion 51c to secure the handle 54 thereon. A spacer 58 isprovided on the portion 510 of the shaft 51 between the bushing 50 andthe filler plate 56.

The shaft 51 includes a portion 51d between the cylindrical portions 51aand 51b. The portion 51d has a generally square cross section and has afront drive crank 60, with a matching square aperture, mounted thereon.A sleeve 62 is mounted over the cylindrical portion 51b of the shaft 51on the needle bearings 52 and 53. The sleeve 62 is best shown in FIG. 15and includes a central cylindrical portion 620 and a pair of oppositeend portions 62b and 626 each having a generally square periphery withrounded corner portions which are extensions of the cylindricalperiphery of portion 62a. A rear part of the portion 620 is rotatablymounted in a needle bearing 63 secured in a suitable aperture in thecross plate member 46 and in a reinforcing plate 64 welded thereto. Anangle bracket 65 (FIGS. 3, l9 and 20) which acts as a stop for the crankmember 42 is welded to the cross plate member 46 ad jacent thereinforcing plate 64.

The crank member 42 and a reinforcing plate 42a secured thereto by aplurality of pins 66 each have a square aperture therein, as shown inFIG. 14, for mounting thereof on the end portion 62c of the sleeve 62.The free end of the portion 51b of the shaft is threaded and a pair ofwashers 67 and 68 and a nut 69 are provided thereon to retain the crankmember 42 and plate 42a. Preferably the nut 69 is slotted (FIG. 20) andthe portion 51b is cross drilled to receive a cotter pin 70 and preventthe nut 69 from loosening.

A rear idler crank 72 is welded to a bushing 73 rotatably mounted on thesleeve 62. The free ends of the cranks 60 and 72 are joined by a crankpin 74 welded to the crank 72 and secured to the crank 60 by a retaining pin 75. A spring 76 secured at one end to the crank pin 74 and atthe other end to a bracket 77 (FIG. 2) welded to the cross plate member46 normally maintains the crank pin 74 in an upper position and therebythe handle 54 in a vertically upright position.

An actuating plate 79 best shown in FIG. 15 has a circular aperture 79aby which it is rotatably mounted on the rounded corner portions ofsleeve portion 6212. Another actuating plate 80 has a circular aperture80a by which it is rotatably mounted on a front part of the sleeveportion 62a. A driving disc 81 having a central square aperture 81amatching the square portion of the periphery of the sleeve portion 62bis mounted thereon between the actuating plates 79 and 80, which areidentical but reversely positioned with respect to each other. Suitablespacers and washers are provided between the various members along theshaft 51 and sleeve 62.

The plate 79 has a non-circular aperture 792 (FIG. 15) in which a clutchpin 83 is reciprocably mounted, a pair of apertures 79c and 7911 inwhich a pair of rivets 84 (FIG. 9) are respectively received to secure abiasing spring 85 in position, and an aperture 7% in which a pin 86(FIG. 4, 7, 8 and 9) is received to pivotally connect the plate 79 andan actuating link 87. The plate 80 has corresponding apertures 80b, 80c,80d and 801 a clutch pin 88 being reciprocably mounted in the aperture80b, another pair of rivets 84 being respectively received in theapertures 80c and 80d to secure another biasing spring 85 in position,and a pin 90 being received in the aperture 80e to pivotally connect theplate 80 and an actuating link 91. The springs 85 bias the clutch pins83 and 88 respectively toward the driving disc 81, which is providedwith a pair of peripheral notches 81b and 81c spaced approximately 90apart. The outer end portions of the clutch pins 83 and 88 are circularand will not pass respectively through the non-circular apertures 79band 80b. Under one condition, as later explained, the inner end portionof the clutch pin 88 is receivable in the notch 81b, and under anothercondition, the inner end portion of the clutch pin 83 is receivable inthe notch 81c.

A shaft 92 best shown in FIG. has non-circular opposite end portionsmounted respectively in corresponding apertures in the cross platemembers 45 and 46, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 19. A cam 93 is nonrotatablymounted on a non-circular portion of the shaft 92 immediately below thedriving disc 81. The cam 93 includes a cam surface 930 (FIG. 18) and acam surface 9312 which respectively hold the clutch pins 83 and 88 outof the notch 811'. as best shown in FIG. 17, when the clutch pins aredirectly beneath the shaft 51. As explained hereinafter, the cam 93prevents both clutch pins 83 and 88 from being engaged in theirrespective notches 81c and 81b simultaneously. The shaft 92 acts as astop for the actuating plates 79 and 80.

The actuating link 87 includes a pair of spaced connecting plates 87aand 87b apertured for mounting on the pin 86 on opposite sides of theactuating plate 79 and rigidly secured to opposite sides of a flat endpor tion of a cylindrical rod 87('. A solid pivot shaft 94 (FIGS. 2 and3) has a pair of opposite, reduceddiameter end portions pivotallymounted respectively in the cross plate members 45 and 46 adjacent theflanges 45a and 45a thereof. An end of a tube 95 is welded to the shaft94 crosswise thereof after the shaft 94 has been faced with an end millto provide a flat circular surface thereon for joining to the tube. Theshaft 94 is also cross drilled axially of the tube 95, as shown in FIGS.7 and 8. The rod 87- of the actuating link 87 is reciprocably mounted inthe tube 95 and the passage through the shaft 94.

The actuating link 91 is identical to the link 87, connecting plates 91aand 91h thereof being pivotally mounted on the pin 90 and rod 910thereof being reciprocably mounted in a passage through a pivot shaft 96and a tube 97 respectively identical to the shaft 94 and tube 95. Theunit comprising the shaft 96 and tube 97 is reversely positioned,end-to-end of the shaft 96, with respect to that comprising the shaft 94and tube 95 and is disposed adjacent the flanges 45b and 46b of thecross plate members.

Compression coil spring means is provided around the tube 95 and rod891' and also around the tube 97 and rod 91('. This may be twoconcentric coil springs, as shown in FIG. 3 around the tube 97 and rod91c, but for convenience only one such spring is shown in FIGS. 7-12, acoil spring 98 being shown around the tube 95 and rod 87c and a coilspring 100 being shown around the tube 97 and rod 91c. Because of theirfunctions in the operation of the switch, the spring 98 is referred toas the opening spring and the spring 100 as the closing springv A latchpin 102 (FIGS. 3 and 9) for the actuating plate 79 is pivotally mountedin the cross plate member 45 and an identical latch pin 103 (FIGS. 3,10, 11 and 12) for the actuating plate 80 is pivotally mounted in thecross plate member 46. As best shown in FIG. 14, the latch pin 102includes a circular outer end portion 1020, a circular intermediateportion 102!) provided with a groove 1020, a non-circular intermediateportion 102d provided with a groove 102e, and a semi-circular inner endportion l02f. The portion 102a has a larger radius than the portion10219, and the portions 102d and l02fhave the same radius, smaller thanthat of portion 102b, but while the portion 102f is semi-circular, theportion 102d is larger than semi-circular in cross section. The pin 102is axially held in the cross plate member 45, in an aperture (not shown)of diameter corresponding to the portion 102b, by the portion 102a onone side and snap ring 105 (FIG. 3) snapped into the groove 102c on theother side.

A latch release handle 106 (FIG. 2) is mounted on a square shaft 107(FIGS. 7-10) rotatably mounted in a plate 108 (FIG. 2) secured to theplate member 45 and a plate 109 (FIG. 10) secured to the plate member46. As only shown in phantom in FIG. 9, a crank 111 mounted on thesquare shaft 107 is pivotally connected to one end portion of agenerally V-shaped link 112. The other end portion of the link 112 ispivotally connected to a crank 113 having an aperture matching theportion 102d of the latch pin 102. The crank 113 is held on the portion102d against the portion 102b by a snap ring 114 mounted in the groove1020.

As mentioned above, the latch pin 103 is identical to the latch pin 102,but instead of a crank such as the crank 113 mounted on the latch pin102, the latch pin 103 has a release member 115, best shown in FIG. 13,mounted thereon by a snap ring 116. The release member 115 includes twoplanar portions 115a and 11512 generally at right angles to each other.The portion 115a is provided with an aperture 115( matching the portionof the latch pin 103 corresponding to the portion 10211 of the latch pin102, and includes a tongue portion 115:! engageable with the bushing 73to limit rotation of the latch pin 103. The portion 115/) includes atongue portion 115e engageable by the connecting plates 87a and 87b ofthe actuating link 87 to pivot the latch pin 103 out of latchingposition with respect to the actuating plate 80, as more fully explainedhereinafter. The release member 115 and the latch pin 103 are biasedtoward latching position by a torsion spring 118 having one end securedwith respect to the cross plate member 46 and the other end secured inthe release member 115. The crank 113 and the latch pin 102 aresimilarly biased toward latching position with respect to the actuatingplate 79 by a similar torsion spring (not shown).

Mounted on the square shaft 107 on the rear side of the cross platemember 46, by means of a corresponding square aperture, is a crank 120pivotally connected to one end portion ofa link 121. The other endportion of the link 121 is pivotally connected to a lower end portion ofa latch member 122 for the crank member 42. The latch member 122 ispivotally mounted at a midportion thereof on a bolt 123 threaded in thecross plate member 46 and locked by a nut 124 (FIG. 9). While generallyflat, the latch member 122 is provided with a bent tongue portion 1220for latching the crank member 42. A torsion spring 126 (FIGS. 19 and 20)having one end secured with respect to the cross plate member 46 and theother end secured in the latch member 122 biases the latch member 122toward latching position. At its pivotal connection to the latch member122, the link 121 is provided with a slot 121a for required lost motion.Similarly, the link 112 (FIG. 9) is provided with a slot 112a at itspivotal connection to the crank 113.

An interlock member 128 best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes a portion128a loosely mounted on a pin 129 staked in the cross plate member 46.At an upper end of the portion 128a an offsetting portion 1281a offsetsan upwardly extending portion 128C from the portion 128a. A portion 128dextends forwardly from the upper end of the portion 128c for engagementby a door 130,

fragmentarily shown in FIG. 6, of an enclosure for the switch.

Besides extending downwardly from the shaft 107 for connection to thelink 121, the crank 120 extends upwardly from the shaft 107 and isprovided adjacent its upper end with an aperture 120a normally inregistry with an aperture 46a provided in the cross plate member 46beneath the pin 129. A portion 128: extends rearwardly from the lowerend of the portion 128a. The member 128 is biased on the portion 128atoward the cross plate member 46 by a spring 132 disposed on the pin 129between a head portion [290 thereof and a washer 133 disposed on the pin129 adjacent the portion 128a. When the door 130 is open. the interlockmember 128 is disposed as shown in FIG. with the portion 128a extendingthrough the aperture 46:: of cross plate member 46 into registry withthe aperture 1200 of the crank 120. In this position, the portion 128aprevents turning of the crank 120 and thus of the handle 106 and shaft107. When the door 130 is closed, it will engage the portion 128d andmove the member 128 to the position shown in FIG. 6, wherein the portion1280 is retracted out of registry with the aperture 120a. thus enablingthe crank 120, handle 106, and shaft 107 to be turned.

An interlock member 135 (FIGS. 19 and 20) includes an elongated flatportion 135a pivotally mounted adjacent one end on a pin 136 secured inthe cross plate member 46. A portion 135!) extends forwardly toward thecross plate member 46, from the end of the portion 135a opposite fromthe pin 136, into overlapping relationship with an upper side edgeportion of the crank 120, as shown most clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6. Atorsion spring 137 mounted on the pin 136 between the portion 135a andthe cross plate member 46 biases the interlock member 135 clockwise asviewed in FIGS. 19 and 20. A portion 135( extending rearwardly at rightangles to the portion 135a is provided with an upturned end portion 135dbiased into engagement with the crank member 42 by the spring 137. Whenthe crank member 42 moves from an open position of FIG. 19 to a closedposition of FIG. 20, it pivots the interlock member 135counter-clockwise as viewed therein to move the portion 135b out ofalignment with the upper side edge portion of the crank 120. The handle106, shaft 107, and crank 120 are then free to be rotated clockwise inFIGS. 19 and 20, as more fully explained hereinafter.

A crank 138 is pivotally mounted adjacent a lower end on a pin (notshown) mounted in the cross plate member 46 and having a screw 139threaded therein to retain the crank 138 thereon. A driving pin (notshown) mounted on the crank member 42 extends through a slot 138a in thecrank 138 and has a retaining screw 140 threaded therein. A bent rod 142best shown in FIG. 2 is pivotally connected adjacent one end to theupper end portion of the crank 138 and is reciprocally mounted in a slot1430 of a guide plate 143 secured to the cross plate member 46 by a pairof screws 144. The other end of the rod 142 is operatively connected toan indicator 145 slidably mounted between two pairs of pins 146 mountedin the cross plate member 45. OPEN" and "CLOSED" indicia provided on theindicator 145 are adapted to appear selectively in a window (not shown)in the door 130 (shown only fragmentarily in FIG. 6) to indicate thecondition of the switch blades.

Provision may be made to open the switch electrically. For this purpose,an L-shaped bracket 147 (FIG. 2) is secured to the left-handed sideplate member 43 and a solenoid 148 is mounted thereon. The solenoid 148is operatively connected to the crank 113 (FIG. 9) by a link (not shown)similar to a link 149 (FIG. 1) associated with a solenoid 148a mountedon a bracket 147a of the switch 22. A limit switch 150 (FIG. 2) must beclosed by the crank member 42 before the solenoid 148 can be operated.

OPERATION Assuming that the switch is open, that the crank member 42 istherefore in the position shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 9, l5, l6, and 19,that the opening spring 98 and the closing spring 100 are both in theuncharged condition as shown in FIG. 7, and that it is desired to closethe switch, the handle 54 is rotated from the vertical positionapproximately a quarter turn either way to charge one of the springs 98and 100 and then back to the vertical position and approximately aquarter turn the other way to charge the other of the springs 98 and100.

Rotation of the handle 54 approximately one-fourth of a turn firstclockwise as viewed in FIG. 2 also rotates the shaft 51, the drive crank60 fixedly mounted thereon, the crank pin 74, and the idler crank 72.The crank pin 74 engages the end portion of the actuating plate carryingthe pin and pivots the actuating plate 80 about the axis of the sleeve62 from the position shown in FIG. 15 to that of FIG. 16, whereupon theclutch pin 88 enters the notch 81b of the driving disc 81 under theinfluence of its biasing spring 85, having initially been held out ofthe notch 81c by the cam 93. For convenience of illustration, the crankpin 74 is shown in engagement with the actuating plate 80 in FIG. 16,whereas actually. before the actuating plate 80 has been pivoted theapproximate quarter turn, the crank pin 74 engages the connecting plates91a and 91b of the actuating link 91 and further movement of theactuating plate 80 is by virtue of the pin 90, as notable from FIG. 10.The pin 90 also moves the actuating link 91 inwardly of the tube 97, andthe spring is charged by compression between the connecting plates 91aand 91b and the pivot shaft 96. The end portion of the actuating plate80 carrying the clutch pin 88 pivots the latch pin 103, while movingupwardly along the flat side surface of the semi-circular inner endportion thereof, and moves past the upper end of the flat side surface,whereupon the latch pin 103 is pivoted to latching position, as shown inFIG. 11, by the spring 118 and release member 115. The rotation of thehandle 54 clockwise is limited by engagement of the drive crank 60 withthe circular portion 102b of the latch pin 102, and upon release of thehandle, the spring 76 returns it to normal upright position.

Assuming that the door 130 is closed and the portion 128s of theinterlock member 128 is retracted out of registry with the aperture 1200of the crank 120, as shown in FIG. 6, if an attempt is made to close theswitch without first also charging the opening spring 98, rotation ofthe latch release handle 106 clockwise in FIGS. 2 and 9(counter-clockwise in FIG. 19) moves the crank 120 and link 121 to pivotthe latch member 122 out of latching engagement with the crank member42, but the crank member 42 remains in the open position, correspondingto the open position of the switch blades. because the actuating plate80 remains latched by the latch pin 103.

Rotation of the handle 54 approximately one-fourth of a turncounterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 2 from the upright position to whichit returns after charging of the closing spring 100 also rotates theshaft 51, the drive crank 60, the crank pin 74, and the idler crank 72.The crank pin 74 first engages the end portion of the actuating plate 79carrying the pin 86 as shown in FIG. 7 and then the connecting plates87a and 87b as shown in FIG. 9, plate 871! being omitted. and the pin 86moves the actuating link 87 inwardly of the tube 95 to charge theopening spring 98 by compression between the connecting plates 87:: and87b and the pivot shaft 94. The clutch pin 83 is initially held out ofthe notch 810 by the cam 93, and the end portion ofthe actuating plate79 carrying the clutch pin 83 pivots the latch pin 102, while movingupwardly along the flat side surface ofthe semi-circular inner endportion 102f thereof. and moves past the upper end of the flat sidesurface. whereupon the latch pin 102 is pivoted to latching position, asshown in FIGS. 8 and 9, by the torsion spring (not shown, but similar tothe spring 118) connected to the crank 113. The rotation of the handle54 counterclockwise is limited by engagement of the idler crank 72 withthe intermediate circular portion of the latch pin 103. Toward the endof this movement, the connecting plates 87:: and 87b of the actuatinglink 87 strike the tongue portion 1150 of the release member 115. asshown in FIG. 12, and pivot the latch pin 103 to an unlatching position,whereupon the actuating plate 80 is released. Discharge ofthe closingspring 100 does not occur at this time. however. because the crankmember 42 is till latched by the latch member 122, preventing rotationof the sleeve 62 and driving disc 81, and the actuating plate 80 is tiedto the driving disc by the clutch pin 88. Upon release of the handle 54after the counter-clockwise movement to charge the opening spring 98, itis returned to normal upright position by the spring 76.

The order of charging the springs 98 and 100 can be reversed. If thehandle 54 is first rotated counterclockwise. the opening spring 98 ischarged. the actuating plate 79 is latched by the latch pin 102, and therelease member 115 and latch pin 103 are moved to and held in anunlatching position, in the manner explained above. Then when the handle54 is rotated clockwise, the closing spring 100 is charged. and theactuating plate 80 is latched. not by the pin 103, but by the clutch pin88, which engages the notch 81b of the driving disc 81. The driving disc81 is prevented from rotating because the latch member 122 holds thecrank member 42 and sleeve 62. Thus. when both springs 98 and 100 arecharged. the position of the parts is the same after charging regardlessof the order in which the springs are charged. However, when the closingspring 100 is charged first. the actuating plate 80 is temporarilylatched by the latch pin 103, whereas when the opening spring 98 ischarged first, the latch pin 103 does not latch the actuating plate 80at any time in the sequence.

With both springs 98 and 100 charged. the crank member 42 latched inopen position by the latch member 122, the door 130 closed, and portion1280 of the interlock member 128 retracted out of registry with theaperture 120a of the crank 120, the handle 106 cannot be rotatedcounter-clockwise as viewed in FIG. 9 to move the crank 111, link 112,and crank 113 and rolate the latch pin 102 out of latching position withrespect to the actuating plate 79, thus discharging the opening spring98 when the crank member 42 is already in open position, because theportion 135b ofthe interlock member 135 engages the crank 120 andprevents such counter-clockwise rotation of the handle 106. Under theseconditions, however. the handle 106 can be rotated clockwise as viewedin FIG. 9 (counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 19) to pivot the crank120, move the link 12], and pivot the latch member 122 out of latchingposition with respect to the crank member 42. Because the latch pin 103is already out of latching position with respect to the actuating plateas a result of the pivoting of the release member upon charging of theopening spring 98, the closing spring 100 then discharges, driving theactuating link 91 outwardly of the tube 97 and rotating the actuatingplate 80 by movement of the pin 90. Excess movement of the actuatingplate 80 is prevented by engagement thereof with the shaft 92. Becausethe clutch pin 88 is engaged in the notch 81b. the driving disc 81 isrotated along with the actuating plate 80. through approximatelyone-fourth of a turn, at the end of which the cam 93 moves the clutchpin 88 out of the notch 81h and the clutch pin 83 in the actuating plate79 engages the notch 810. The rotation of the driving disc 81 causesrotation of the sleeve 62 and pivoting of the crank member 42 and itsreinforcing plate 42a to the closed position of FIG. 20. The drivinglink 40 is thereby moved to pivot switch blades such as the blades 26 ofFIG. 1 to closed position. With reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, as thecrank member 42 moves from the open position of FIG. 19 to the closedposition of FIG. 20. the pin carrying the screw 140 moves along the slot138a and pivots the crank 138 to move the rod 142 and the indicator 145(FIG. 2) to closed position. The crank member 42 also pivots theinterlock member 135 to move the portion 135/; out of alignment with theupper side edge portion of the crank 120, thereby free ing the crank forthe movement required for opening of the switch.

Assuming that the door is still closed and the portion 1280 of theinterlock member 128 retracted out of registry with the aperture 120a ofthe crank 120, the handle 106 can then be rotated counter-clockwise asviewed in FIGS. 2 and 9 to open the switch. The square shaft 107 canturn because the crank 120 is free of both interlock members 128 and13S, and rotation of the shaft 107 pivots the crank 111counterclockwise. moves the link 112 leftward. and pivots the crank 113and latch pin 102 clockwise to release the actuating plate 79. Theopening spring 98 then discharges, driving the actuating link 87outwardly of the tube 95 and rotating the actuating plate 79 by movementof the pin 86. Excess movement of the actuating plate 79 is prevented byengagement thereof with the shaft 92. Because the clutch pin 83 isengaged in the notch 81c, the driving disc 81 is rotated along with theactuating plate 79, through approximately one-fourth of a turn, at theend of which the cam 93 moves the clutch pin 83 out of the notch 81c.The rotation of the driving disc 81 causes rotation of the sleeve 62 andpivoting of the crank member 42 and its reinforcing plate 42a back tothe open position of FIG. 19, where the crank member 42 is again latchedby the latch member 122. The driving link 40a is thereby moved to pivotswitch blades such as the blades 26 of FIG. 1 to open positionv The pincarrying the screw I40 pivots the crank 138 to move the indicator 145(FIG. 2) to open position, and the spring 137 pivots the interlockmember US to move the portion 135!) back into alignment with the upperside edge portion of the crank [20.

Various modifications may be made in the structure shown and describedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,

I claim:

1. An operating mechanism for opening and closing an electrical switchcomprising a supporting frame, a spring-actuated switch-closing meansmovably mounted on said frame; a spring-actuated switchopening meansmovably mounted on said frame; manually-actuated means mounted on saidframe for moving both of said spring-actuated means to a chargedposition; adjustable first means mounted on said frame for releasingsaid switch-closing means from said charged position and effectingmovement thereof in a predetermined direction to a discharged positionclosing the switch only while said switch-opening means remains in acharged position; adjustable second means mounted on said frame forreleasing said switch-opening means from said charged position andeffecting movement thereof in a predetermined direction to a dischargedposition opening the switch; and connecting means for transmitting themovement of both of said spring means to the switch to effect closingand opening thereof,

2. l he operating mechanism of claim l wherein the nianually-actuatedmeans for charging said springactuated means and components of both ofsaid springactuated means are mounted on said frame for pivotal movementabout a fixed common axis.

3. The operating mechanism of claim 2 wherein said manually-actuatedmeans, when pivoted in one direction about said common axis chargingonly said switchclosing means. and when pivoted in a second direction,charging only said switchppening means.

4. The operating mechanism of claim 3 including an elongated shaft meanshaving the longitudinal axis thereof coincident to said common axis, andsaid common axis, and said manually actuated means includes a crankmember mounted on and movable as a unit with said shaft means, and anexposed handle mounted on and movable with said shaft means forimparting pivotal movement to said shaft means; said crank memberengaging and imparting charging movement to the component of only onespringactuated means when said handle is manually pivoted in onedirection through a first predetermined sector and engaging andimparting charging movement to the component of only the otherspringactuated means when said handle is manually pivoted in theopposite direction through a second predetermined sector.

5. The operating mechanism of claim 4 wherein a pair of longitudinallyspaced, interconnected crank members are mounted on and movable as aunit with said shaft means to effect charging of both of saidspring-actuated means.

6. The operating mechanism of claim 5 wherein the components of saidspring-actuated means comprise a pair of longitudinally spaced operatorplates disposed intermediate said crank members, each operator plateencompassing said shaft means and being provided with a laterallyextending portion engageable by said crank members when said shaft meansis pivoted in a predetermined direction, the laterally extending portionof each operator plate being engaged by a compressible spring, saidspring being compressed into a charged position only when the crankmembers engage an operator plate and are pivoted through a predeterminedsector; releasable latch means mounted on said frame and engaging saidoperator plates to retain same in charged positions, and control meansadjustably mounted on said frame to effect successive release of saidlatch means whereby discharge of the operator plate of saidswitch-closing means occurs only if the operator plate of saidswitch-opening means remains in charged position.

7. A stored-energy operating mechanism for switch blades comprising aframe, a shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, a spring charging handlefixedly mounted on a front end portion of said shaft, a sleeve disposedon said shaft and rotatable relatively thereto, a switch blade operatingcrank member fixedly mounted on a rear end portion of said sleeve, adriving disc fixedly mounted on a front end portion of said sleeve, anopening actuating plate and a closing actuating plate rotatably mountedon said sleeve respectively on opposite sides of said driving disc, afront drive crank fixedly mounted on said shaft adjacent said front endportion of said sleeve, a rear idler crank rotatably mounted on saidsleeve rearwardly of said actuating plates, a crank pin disposedradially outwardly of and generally parallel to said shaft and having afront end portion mounted in said front drive crank and a rear endportion mounted in said rear idler crank, said opening actuating platehaving a portion engageable by and disposed on one side of said crankpin and said closing actuating plate having a portion engageable by anddisposed on an opposite side of said crank pin, an opening coilcompression spring mounted on said frame on one side of said shaft andoperatively connected to said opening actuating plate for compression toa charged condition upon rotation of said spring charging handle in onedirection, a closing coil compression spring mounted on said frame on anopposite side of said shaft and operatively connected to said closingactuating plate for compression to a charged condition upon rotation ofsaid spring charging handle in an opposite direction, a latch memberpivotally mounted on said frame for latching said switch blade operatingcrank member in an open position, a latching means for said openingactuating plate pivotally mounted on said frame on an opposite side ofsaid shaft from said opening spring, a latching means for said closingactuating plate pivotally mounted on said frame on an opposite side ofsaid shaft from said closing spring, means pivoting said latching meansfor said closing actuating plate to an inoperative position uponcharging of said opening spring, a latch releasing handle operativelyconnected to said latch member for said switch blade operating crankmember and to said latching means for said opening actuating plate, saidlatch releasing handle being pivotable in one direction to release saidswitch blade operating crank member and in an opposite direction torelease said opening actuating plate, means mounted on said closingactuating plate and operatively connecting said closing actuating plateto said driving disc when said closing spring is in a charged condition,and means mounted on said opening actuating plate and operativelyconnecting said opening actuating plate to said driving disc when saidopening spring is in a charged 9. A mechanism as claimed in claim 7including interlock means preventing operation of said latch releasinghandle in a direction to release said opening actuating plate if saidswitch blade operating crank member is in handle ifa door of anenclosure for a switch having said said open position.

operating mechanism is in an open position.

1. An operating mechanism for opening and closing an electrical switchcomprising a supporting frame, a spring-actuated switchclosing meansmovably mounted on said frame; a spring-actuated switch-opening meansmovably mounted on said frame; manuallyactuated means mounted on saidframe for moving both of said spring-actuated means to a chargedposition; adjustable first means mounted on said frame for releasingsaid switch-closing means from said charged position and effectingmovement thereof in a predetermined direction to a discharged positionclosing the switch only while said switch-opening means remains in acharged position; adjustable second means mounted on said frame forreleasing said switch-opening means from said charged position andeffecting movement thereof in a predetermined direction to a dischargedposition opening the switch; and connecting means for transmitting themovement of both of said spring means to the switch to effect closingand opening thereof.
 2. The operating mechanism of claim 1 wherein themanually-actuated means for charging said spring-actuated means andcomponents of both of said spring-actuated means are mounted on saidframe for pivotal movement about a fixed common axis.
 3. The operatingmechanism of claim 2 wherein said manually-actuated means, when pivotedin one direction about said common axis charging only saidswitch-closing means, and when pivoted in a second direction, chargingonly said switch-opening means.
 4. The operating mechanism of claim 3including an elongated shaft means having the longitudinal axis thereofcoincident to said common axis, and said common axis, and saidmanually-actuated means includes a crank member mounted on and movableas a unit with said shaft means, and an exposed handle mounted on andmovable with said shaft means for imparting pivotal movement to saidshaft means; said crank member engaging and imparting charging movementto the component of only one spring-actuated means when said handle ismanually pivoted in one direction through a first predetermined sectorand engaging and imparting charging movement to the component of onlythe other spring-actuated means when said handle is manually pivoted inthe opposite direction through a second predetermined sector.
 5. Theoperating mechanism of claim 4 wherein a pair of longitudinally spaced,interconnected crank members are mounted on and movable as a unit withsaid shaft means to effect charging of both of said spring-actuatedmeans.
 6. The operating mechanism of claim 5 wherein the components ofsaid spring-actuated means comprise a pair of longitudinally spacedoperator plates disposed intermediate said crank members, each operatorplate encompassing said shaft means and being provided with a laterallyextending portion engageable by said crank members when said shaft meansis pivoted in a predetermined direction, the laterally extending portionof each operator plate being engaged by a compressible spring, saidspring being compressed into a charged position only when the crankmembers engage an operator plate and are pivoted through a predeterminedsector; releasable latch means mounted on said frame and engaging saidoperator plates to retain same in charged positions, and control meansadjustably mounted on said frame to effect successive release of saidlatch means whereby discharge of the operator plate of saidswitch-closing means occurs only if the operator plate of saidswitch-opening means remains in charged position.
 7. A stored-energyoperating mechanism for switch blades comprising a frame, a shaftrotatably mounted in said frame, a spring charging handle fixedlymounted on a front end portion of said shaft, a sleeve disposed on saidshaft and rotatable relatively thereto, a switch blade operating crankmember fixedly mounted on a rear end portion of said sleeve, a drivingdisc fixedly mounted on a front end portion of said sleeve, an openingactuating plate and a closing actuating plate rotatably mounted on saidsleeve respectively on opposite sides of said driving disc, a frontdrive crank fixedly mounted on said shaft adjacent said front endportion of said sleeve, a rear idler crank rotatably mounted on saidsleeve rearwardly of said actuating plates, a crank pin disposedradially outwardly of and generally parallel to said shaft and having afront end portion mounted in said front drive crank and a rear endportion mounted in said rear idler crank, said opening actuating platehaving a portion engageable by and disposed on one side of said crankpin and said closing actuating plate having a portion engageable by anddisposed on an opposite side of said crank pin, an opening coilcompression spring mounted on said frame on one side of said shaft andoperatively connected to said opening actuating plate for compression toa charged condition upon rotation of said spring charging handle in onedirection, a closing coil compression spring mounted on said frame on anopposite side of said shaft and operatively connected to said closingactuating plate for compression to a charged condition upon rotation ofsaid spring charging handle in an opposite direction, a latch memberpivotally mounted on said frame for latching said switch blade operatingcrank member in an open position, a latching means for said openingactuating plate pivotally mounted on said frame on an opposite side ofsaid shaft from said opening spring, a latching means for said closingactuating plate pivotally mounted on said frame on an opposite side ofsaid shaft from said closing spring, means pivoting said latching meansfor said closing actuating plate to an inoperative position uponcharging of said opening spring, a latch releasing handle operativelyconnected to said latch member for said switch blade operating crankmember and to said latching means for said opening actuating plate, saidlatch releasing handle being pivotable in one direction to release saidswitch blade operating crank member and in an opposite direction torelease said opening actuating plate, means mounted on said closingactuating plate and operatively connecting said closing actuating plateto said driving disc when said closing spring is in a charged condition,and means mounted on said opening actuating plate and operativelyconnecting said opening actuating plate to said driving disc when saidopening spring is in a charged condition and said closing spring is in adischarged condition.
 8. A mechanism as claimed in claim 7 includinginterlock means preventing operation of said latch releasing handle if adoor of an enclosure for a switch having said operating mechanism is inan open position.
 9. A mechanism as claimed in claim 7 includinginterlock means preventing operation of said latch releasing handle in adirection to release said opening actuating plate if said switch bladeoperaTing crank member is in said open position.